Feature Photo: Koen Suyk (ANEFO), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
George Harrison was born in Liverpool, England, on February 23, 1943. As a teenager, he became close friends with Paul McCartney, who introduced him to John Lennon. Though younger than the other members, Harrison joined Lennon’s group, the Quarrymen, which soon evolved into The Beatles. While Lennon and McCartney handled the majority of songwriting in the early years, Harrison’s guitar work became an essential part of the band’s sound. He began contributing more creatively by the mid-1960s, eventually writing some of The Beatles’ most critically acclaimed songs, including “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Something,” and “Here Comes the Sun.”
During his time with The Beatles, Harrison also developed a deep interest in Indian music and spirituality, heavily influenced by his relationship with sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar. This cultural exploration led to his introduction of the sitar into Western pop music on tracks like “Norwegian Wood,” and eventually brought Eastern philosophy into mainstream consciousness. His spiritual beliefs became central to his personal identity and were reflected in his songwriting, particularly on later Beatles records such as Abbey Road and Let It Be. Despite the challenges of being the third songwriter in a group dominated by Lennon and McCartney, Harrison’s influence grew steadily during the final years of the band.
After The Beatles disbanded in 1970, Harrison was the first member to release a major solo project. All Things Must Pass was a triple LP that showcased Harrison’s backlog of previously shelved material and new compositions. Produced by Phil Spector, the album included the number-one hit “My Sweet Lord,” which became the first solo single by a Beatle to top the charts. The album was a massive commercial and critical success, hailed for its ambition, emotional range, and spiritual depth. It established Harrison as a formidable solo artist in his own right, no longer overshadowed by his former bandmates.
In 1971, Harrison organized the Concert for Bangladesh, one of the first large-scale benefit concerts in music history. Featuring appearances by Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and Ravi Shankar, the event raised global awareness and significant funds for refugees of the Bangladesh Liberation War. The concert and its accompanying live album and film received widespread acclaim and earned Harrison a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. This pioneering act of musical activism became a blueprint for future benefit concerts such as Live Aid and Farm Aid.
Harrison continued to release solo albums throughout the 1970s, including Living in the Material World (1973), Dark Horse (1974), and Thirty Three & 1/3 (1976). While these albums received mixed reviews compared to All Things Must Pass, they included standout tracks like “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth),” which reached number one in the U.S., and “Crackerbox Palace.” His work during this era reflected his deepening spiritualism, commentary on fame, and love of slide guitar. Harrison also launched his own label, Dark Horse Records, which released not only his own albums but those of artists like Ravi Shankar and Splinter.
The 1980s marked a period of relative quiet for Harrison as he withdrew from public life and focused on film production. He co-founded HandMade Films in 1978, a company that would go on to finance and produce several notable British films, including Monty Python’s Life of Brian, Time Bandits, and Withnail and I. His work in cinema contributed significantly to the resurgence of the British film industry at a time when it was facing a commercial crisis. During this time, Harrison also released Somewhere in England (1981) and Gone Troppo (1982), though neither achieved major commercial success.
After a brief hiatus from music, Harrison returned in 1987 with the critically acclaimed album Cloud Nine, produced by Jeff Lynne. The album included the hit single “Got My Mind Set on You,” which reached number one in the U.S., and the beloved track “When We Was Fab,” a nostalgic nod to his Beatles past. The album’s success revitalized his musical career and led to the formation of the Traveling Wilburys, a supergroup featuring Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne. Their debut album, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 (1988), was widely praised and commercially successful, adding another remarkable chapter to Harrison’s career.
Though he slowed down musically in the 1990s, Harrison remained involved in various creative and charitable efforts. In 1991, he toured Japan with Eric Clapton, and in 1992 he released Live in Japan, a live album showcasing his enduring musicianship. He continued to advocate for peace, environmental causes, and humanitarian work, using his fame to quietly support various charitable endeavors. He also contributed to the Beatles Anthology project in the mid-1990s, collaborating with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr on the production of two new Beatles tracks based on John Lennon demos.
In 1997, Harrison was diagnosed with throat cancer, and though he underwent treatment, the disease resurfaced in 2001. He passed away in November of that year at the age of 58. His final album, Brainwashed, was released posthumously in 2002, completed by his son Dhani Harrison and Jeff Lynne. The album received critical praise for its introspective lyrics and musical precision, serving as a fitting farewell from an artist who had always placed sincerity and depth above commercial trends.
Throughout his career, Harrison released twelve studio albums, two live albums, and many singles that charted across the world. He won multiple Grammy Awards and was twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—first as a member of The Beatles in 1988 and again as a solo artist in 2004. His contributions to music, film, and humanitarian work have cemented his legacy as a deeply influential and beloved figure across multiple generations.
Outside of his professional life, Harrison was known for his devotion to gardening, meditation, and privacy. His estate, Friar Park, became a sanctuary for him and was a reflection of his spiritual values. His humility, gentle demeanor, and philosophical outlook stood in stark contrast to the excesses often associated with rock stardom. He built a career not around spectacle but around introspection, creative exploration, and a desire to make the world a more compassionate place.
Whether through the quiet beauty of his melodies or the searching nature of his lyrics, he offered something different than his more flamboyant peers—a kind of soulful sincerity that continues to resonate. His role in shaping modern music and culture remains immeasurable, and his legacy continues to inspire both fans and fellow musicians around the world.
Complete List Of George Harrison Songs From A to Z
- 7 Deadly Sins – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 – 1990
- Absolutely Sweet Marie (live) – Bob Dylan – The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration – 1993
- All Things Must Pass – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- All Those Years Ago – Somewhere in England – 1981
- Almost 12 Bar Honky Tonk – All Things Must Pass (50th anniversary deluxe edition) – 2021
- Almost Shankara – Wonderwall Music (2014 remaster) – 2014
- The Answer’s at the End – Extra Texture (Read All About It) – 1975
- Any Road – Brainwashed – 2002
- Apple Scruffs – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- Art of Dying – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- Awaiting on You All – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- Baby Don’t Run Away – Gone Troppo – 1982
- Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll) – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- Baltimore Oriole – Somewhere in England – 1981
- Bangla Desh – Non-album single – 1971
- Be Here Now – Living in the Material World – 1973
- Beautiful Girl – Thirty Three & 1/3 – 1976
- Behind That Locked Door – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea – Brainwashed – 2002
- Beware of Darkness – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- A Bit More of You – Extra Texture (Read All About It) – 1975
- Blood from a Clone – Somewhere in England – 1981
- Blow Away – George Harrison – 1979
- Blue Jay Way – Magical Mystery Tour (The Beatles) – 1967
- Brainwashed – Brainwashed – 2002
- Breath Away from Heaven – Cloud Nine – 1987
- Bye Bye, Love – Dark Horse – 1974
- Can’t Stop Thinking About You – Extra Texture (Read All About It) – 1975
- Cheer Down – Lethal Weapon 2 (soundtrack) – 1989
- Circles – Gone Troppo – 1982
- Cloud 9 – Cloud Nine – 1987
- Cockamamie Business – Best of Dark Horse 1976–1989 – 1989
- Congratulations – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 – 1990
- Cool Dry Place – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 – 1990
- Cosmic Empire (demo) – All Things Must Pass (50th anniversary deluxe edition) – 2021
- Cowboy Music – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- Crackerbox Palace – Thirty Three & 1/3 – 1976
- Cry for a Shadow – The Beatles with Tony Sheridan – 1961
- Crying – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- Dark Horse – Dark Horse – 1974
- Dark Sweet Lady – George Harrison – 1979
- The Day the World Gets ‘Round – Living in the Material World – 1973
- Dear One – Thirty Three & 1/3 – 1976
- Deep Blue – Non-album single B-side of “Bangla Desh” – 1971
- Dehra Dun (demo) – All Things Must Pass (50th anniversary deluxe edition) – 2021
- Devil’s Radio – Cloud Nine – 1987
- Ding Dong, Ding Dong – Dark Horse – 1974
- Dirty World – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 – 1988
- Don’t Bother Me – With The Beatles – 1963
- Don’t Let Me Wait Too Long – Living in the Material World – 1973
- Down To The River (Rocking Chair Blues) – All Things Must Pass (50th anniversary deluxe edition) – 2021
- Dream Away – Gone Troppo – 1982
- Dream Scene – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- Drilling a Home – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- End of the Line – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 – 1988
- Everybody-Nobody (demo) – All Things Must Pass (50th anniversary deluxe edition) – 2021
- Fantasy Sequins – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- Far East Man – Dark Horse – 1974
- Faster – George Harrison – 1979
- Fish on the Sand – Cloud Nine – 1987
- Flying – Magical Mystery Tour (The Beatles) – 1967
- Flying Hour (remix) – Songs by George Harrison – 1988
- For You Blue – Let It Be (The Beatles) – 1970
- For You Blue (live) – Songs by George Harrison – 1988
- Gat Kirwani – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- Get Back – All Things Must Pass (50th anniversary deluxe edition) – 2021
- Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) – Living in the Material World – 1973
- Glass Box – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- Going Down To Golders Green (demo) – All Things Must Pass (50th anniversary deluxe edition) – 2021
- Gone Troppo – Gone Troppo – 1982
- Got My Mind Set on You – Cloud Nine – 1987
- Greasy Legs – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- Greece – Gone Troppo – 1982
- Grey Cloudy Lies – Extra Texture (Read All About It) – 1975
- Guru Vandana – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- Handle with Care – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 – 1988
- Hari’s on Tour (Express) – Dark Horse – 1974
- Heading for the Light – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 – 1988
- Hear Me Lord – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- Here Comes the Moon – George Harrison – 1979
- Here Comes the Sun – Abbey Road (The Beatles) – 1969
- Here Comes the Sun (live) – The Concert for Bangladesh – 1971
- His Name Is Legs (Ladies and Gentlemen) – Extra Texture (Read All About It) – 1975
- Hong Kong Blues – Somewhere in England – 1981
- Horse to the Water – Small World Big Band – 2001
- Hottest Gong in Town – Songs by George Harrison 2 – 1992
- I Dig Love – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- I Don’t Care Anymore – Non-album single B-side – 1974
- I Don’t Want to Do It – Porky’s Revenge! (soundtrack) – 1985
- I Live for You – All Things Must Pass (2001 remaster) – 2001
- I Me Mine – Let It Be (The Beatles) – 1970
- I Need You – Help! (The Beatles) – 1965
- I Really Love You – Gone Troppo – 1982
- I Remember Jeep – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- I Want to Tell You – Revolver (The Beatles) – 1966
- I Want to Tell You (live) – Live in Japan – 1992
- If I Needed Someone – Rubber Soul (The Beatles) – 1965
- If I Needed Someone (live) – Live in Japan – 1992
- If Not for You – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- If You Believe – George Harrison – 1979
- In the Park – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- Inside Out – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 – 1990
- Isn’t It a Pity – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- It Is ‘He’ (Jai Sri Krishna) – Dark Horse – 1974
- It’s All Too Much – Yellow Submarine (The Beatles) – 1969
- It’s Johnny’s Birthday – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- It’s What You Value – Thirty Three & 1/3 – 1976
- I’d Have You Anytime – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- Just for Today – Cloud Nine – 1987
- Last Night – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 – 1988
- Lay His Head – Non-album single B-side of “Got My Mind Set on You” – 1987
- Learning How to Love You – Thirty Three & 1/3 – 1976
- Let It Be Me (demo) – Early Takes: Volume 1 – 2012
- Let It Down – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- Life Itself – Somewhere in England – 1981
- The Light That Has Lighted the World – Living in the Material World – 1973
- Living in the Material World – Living in the Material World – 1973
- Long, Long, Long – The Beatles (White Album) – 1968
- Looking for My Life – Brainwashed – 2002
- The Lord Loves the One (That Loves the Lord) – Living in the Material World – 1973
- Love Comes to Everyone – George Harrison – 1979
- Love Scene – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- Love You To – Revolver (The Beatles) – 1966
- Mama You’ve Been on My Mind (demo) – Early Takes: Volume 1 – 2012
- Margarita – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 – 1988
- Marwa Blues – Brainwashed – 2002
- Māya Love – Dark Horse – 1974
- Microbes – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- Miss O’Dell – Non-album single B-side of “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)” – 1973
- Mo – Mo’s Songs – 1994
- Mother Divine (demo) – All Things Must Pass (50th anniversary deluxe edition) – 2021
- My Sweet Lord – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- Mystical One – Gone Troppo – 1982
- Never Get Over You – Brainwashed – 2002
- New Blue Moon – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 – 1990
- No Time or Space – Electronic Sound – 1969
- Not Alone Any More – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 – 1988
- Not Guilty – George Harrison – 1979
- Nowhere To Go (demo) – All Things Must Pass (50th anniversary deluxe edition) – 2021
- Old Brown Shoe – Non-album B-side (The Beatles) – 1969
- Old Brown Shoe (live) – Live in Japan – 1992
- Om Hare Om (Gopala Krishna) (demo) – All Things Must Pass (50th anniversary deluxe edition) – 2021
- On the Bed – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- Only a Northern Song – Yellow Submarine (The Beatles) – 1969
- Ooh Baby (You Know That I Love You) – Extra Texture (Read All About It) – 1975
- Out of the Blue – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- P2 Vatican Blues (Last Saturday Night) – Brainwashed – 2002
- Party Seacombe – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- Piggies – The Beatles (White Album) – 1968
- Piggies (live) – Live in Japan – 1992
- Pisces Fish – Brainwashed – 2002
- Plug Me In – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- Poor Little Girl – Best of Dark Horse 1976–1989 – 1989
- Pure Smokey – Thirty Three & 1/3 – 1976
- Rattled – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 – 1988
- Red Lady Too – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- Ride Rajbun – The Bunbury Tails – 1992
- Rising Sun – Brainwashed – 2002
- Rocking Chair in Hawaii – Brainwashed – 2002
- Roll Over Beethoven (live) – Live in Japan – 1992
- Run of the Mill – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- Run So Far – Brainwashed – 2002
- Sat Singing (remix) – Songs by George Harrison – 1988
- Save the World – Somewhere in England – 1981
- Savoy Truffle – The Beatles (White Album) – 1968
- See Yourself – Thirty Three & 1/3 – 1976
- Shanghai Surprise – Non-album promotional single – 1986
- She’s My Baby – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 – 1990
- Simply Shady – Dark Horse – 1974
- Singing Om – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- Ski-ing – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- So Sad – Dark Horse – 1974
- Soft-Hearted Hana – George Harrison – 1979
- Soft Touch – George Harrison – 1979
- Someplace Else – Cloud Nine – 1987
- Something – Abbey Road (The Beatles) – 1969
- Something (live) – The Concert for Bangladesh – 1971
- Sour Milk Sea – Non-album single – 1968
- Stuck Inside a Cloud – Brainwashed – 2002
- Sue Me, Sue You Blues – Living in the Material World – 1973
- Sunshine Life for Me (Sail Away Raymond) – Living in the Material World (50th anniversary deluxe edition) – 2023
- Tabla and Pakavaj – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- Taxman – Revolver (The Beatles) – 1966
- Taxman (live) – Live in Japan – 1992
- Teardrops – Somewhere in England – 1981
- Tears of the World – Songs by George Harrison 2 – 1992
- Tell Me What Has Happened To You (demo) – All Things Must Pass (50th anniversary deluxe edition) – 2021
- Thanks for the Pepperoni – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- That Is All – Living in the Material World – 1973
- That Which I Have Lost – Somewhere in England – 1981
- That’s the Way It Goes – Gone Troppo – 1982
- That’s What It Takes – Cloud Nine – 1987
- Think for Yourself – Rubber Soul (The Beatles) – 1965
- This Guitar (Can’t Keep from Crying) – Extra Texture (Read All About It) – 1975
- This Is Love – Cloud Nine – 1987
- This Song – Thirty Three & 1/3 – 1976
- Tired of Midnight Blue – Extra Texture (Read All About It) – 1975
- True Love – Thirty Three & 1/3 – 1976
- Try Some, Buy Some – Living in the Material World – 1971
- Tweeter and the Monkey Man – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 – 1988
- Unconsciousness Rules – Somewhere in England – 1981
- Under the Mersey Wall – Electronic Sound – 1969
- Unknown Delight – Gone Troppo – 1982
- Wah-Wah – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- Wake Up My Love – Gone Troppo – 1982
- Wedding Bells (Are Breaking Up That Old Gang Of Mine) – All Things Must Pass (50th anniversary deluxe edition) – 2021
- What Is Life – All Things Must Pass – 1970
- When We Was Fab – Cloud Nine – 1987
- Where Were You Last Night? – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 – 1990
- While My Guitar Gently Weeps – The Beatles (White Album) – 1968
- While My Guitar Gently Weeps (live) – The Concert for Bangladesh – 1971
- Who Can See It – Living in the Material World – 1973
- Wilbury Twist – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 – 1990
- Window Window (demo) – All Things Must Pass (50th anniversary deluxe edition) – 2021
- Within You Without You – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (The Beatles) – 1967
- Woman Don’t You Cry for Me – Thirty Three & 1/3 – 1976
- Wonderwall to Be Here – Wonderwall Music – 1968
- World of Stone – Extra Texture (Read All About It) – 1975
- Wreck of the Hesperus – Cloud Nine – 1987
- Writing’s on the Wall – Somewhere in England – 1981
- You – Extra Texture (Read All About It) – 1975
- You Like Me Too Much – Help! (The Beatles) – 1965
- You Took My Breath Away – Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 – 1988
- Your Love Is Forever – George Harrison – 1979
- Zig Zag – Non-album single B-side of “When We Was Fab” – 1988
Albums
With The Beatles (The Beatles) (1963): 1 song
Help! (The Beatles) (1965): 2 songs
Rubber Soul (The Beatles) (1965): 2 songs
Revolver (The Beatles) (1966): 3 songs
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (The Beatles) (1967): 1 song
Magical Mystery Tour (The Beatles) (1967): 2 songs
Wonderwall Music (1968): 18 songs
The Beatles (White Album) (1968): 4 songs
Yellow Submarine (The Beatles) (1969): 1 song
Electronic Sound (1969): 2 songs
Abbey Road (The Beatles) (1969): 2 songs
Let It Be (The Beatles) (1970): 2 songs
All Things Must Pass (1970): 18 songs
All Things Must Pass (2001 remaster) (2001): 1 song
All Things Must Pass (50th anniversary deluxe edition) (2021): 11 songs
Living in the Material World (1973): 10 songs
Living in the Material World (50th anniversary deluxe edition) (2023): 1 song
Dark Horse (1974): 9 songs
Extra Texture (Read All About It) (1975): 9 songs
Thirty Three & 1/3 (1976): 10 songs
George Harrison (1979): 10 songs
Somewhere in England (1981): 10 songs
Gone Troppo (1982): 10 songs
Cloud Nine (1987): 11 songs
Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 (1988): 10 songs
Songs by George Harrison (1988): 2 songs
Best of Dark Horse 1976–1989 (1989): 2 songs
Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 (1990): 8 songs
Songs by George Harrison 2 (1992): 2 songs
Live in Japan (1992): 6 songs
The Bunbury Tails (1992): 1 song
Mo’s Songs (1994): 1 song
Early Takes: Volume 1 (2012): 2 songs
Wonderwall Music (2014 remaster) (2014): 1 song
Brainwashed (2002): 11 songs
Non-album singles, B-sides, and other appearances: 17 songs
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